Amazing grace! How sweet the sound! That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost but now I am found, Was blind but now I see. Was grace that taught my heart to fear And grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believed! Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; This grace has brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home. The Lord has promised good to me, His word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be, As long as life endures. Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease; I shall possess, within the vail, A life of joy and peace. The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, The sun forbear to shine; But God, who called me here below, Will be forever mine. 一种译文:
“奇异恩典,何等甘甜,我罪已得赦免;
前我失踪,今被寻回,瞎眼今得看见。
如此恩典,使我敬畏,我心已得安慰;
初信之时,即蒙恩惠,真是何等宝贵!
许多危险,试炼网罗,我已平安经过;
靠主恩典,安全不怕,更引领我归家。
将来禧年,圣徒欢聚,恩光爱谊千年;
喜乐颂赞,在父座前,深望那日快现。”
上面这一首“奇异恩典”可以说是作者牛顿·约翰的自传。他虽然是一位伟大的布道家,又是圣乐诗人,无论是他所写的圣诗或讲道,都有极大的感力,他一生都不能忘记,他原来在罪中生活,作罪奴隶;那是蒙神恩典,才把他从火坑内和淤泥中拯救出来,所以他口唱新歌(共写了二百八十首圣诗,似乎以“奇异恩典”这一首为代表作。)
《甜美圣名》(How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds)
何等甜美耶稣圣名,信徒闻即欢呼;
能愈伤痛能慰愁情,心中忧惧尽除!
能将破碎心灵医好,使烦恼心安定;
更使饥饿得灵得饱,劳倦人得安宁!
主名是我坚固磐石,是盾牌避难处;
耶稣是我良友善牧,先知祭司君王;
又是救主生命道路,恳纳我众颂扬!
今虽竭我心智热衷,爱主犹显微弱;
来日见主真体圣容,必献更美颂歌!
当趁今生气息尚存,愿宣主爱不停;
并靠救主美名大恩,永远鼓舞我灵!
这首歌是根据雅歌1章3节而写:“你的膏油馨香,你的名如同倒出来的香膏,所以众童女都爱你。”
前三段歌词通过对耶稣圣名的思念,从各个角度表达对耶稣基督的赞美。他是安慰者、医治者、喂养者、保护者……他是先知、祭司、君王,是道路、真理、生命,又是我们的亲密朋友。
后两段歌词表达了对耶稣的爱。今天在地上,我们虽竭力,爱主之心仍何其微弱,然而我们期待着将来在天上,向他献上完全的颂赞。为此,就趁现在短暂的年日,被他的恩典鼓舞,也不停地宣扬主的大爱!